This beautiful Order, sometimes known as the Cryptic Degrees, comprises four degrees, all of which add richness and additional knowledge to that which you will have received in the three Craft degrees, as well as the Mark and the Royal Arch.

Our units, which we call Councils, are spread geographically across the Counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, which make up our District and, wherever you live, you will not have to travel far in order to reach one of them.The Order is open to all Master Masons who are also Companions of the Royal Arch (Chapter) and Mark Master Masons.

Even after joining those Lodges and Chapters, the Brother who seeks a complete knowledge of the Solomonic Degrees will still find many questions unanswered, especially relating to the historical period between the Master Mason degree and the Royal Arch.A Council of Royal and Select Masters confers four Degrees, which answer many of those questions.

Select Master

This pre-dates the Master Mason degree. The ceremony contains important lessons on the need for diligence in our work, and the dangers of a careless word.It explains the background to the construction of a secret vault (or crypt) constructed under the Holy of Holies of the Temple.In this vault copies of the most sacred Jewish artefacts were placed as insurance in case the Temple should be destroyed.

Royal Master

This takes place within the Holy of Holies very shortly before, and just after, the death of Hiram Abif, who is once more the central character.The ceremony describes how the three Grand Masters planned to conceal the secrets of Masonry which would later be found in the Royal Arch.The ceremony includes what many believe is the finest and most moving piece of Masonic ritual ever written.

Most Excellent Master

This degree is concerned with the final stages in the construction of King Solomon’s Temple.It describes, in detail, the completion and dedication, including the construction and symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant.It also explains the gradual disappearance of the Secret Vault, over nearly 500 years, into the realms of legend.

Super Excellent Master

This degree details the destruction of the first Temple by Nebuchadnezzar which led to the Jews being taken to Babylon in captivity and the fate of Zedekiah, the “last king of Judah”.It was from this captivity that the Jews eventually returned to begin the construction of the second Temple as described in the ceremony of the Holy Royal Arch.

For further details please contact the District Recorder, Graham Jones, on email recordernmidsrsm@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting this page and I sincerely hope you will enjoy your Cryptic Masonry, or, if you have not yet joined us, you will consider doing so.